A Tennessee couple filed a Viagra melanoma lawsuit against Pfizer Inc., alleging the company intentionally concealed the risk of developing skin cancer as a drug side effect to their popular erectile dysfunction medication.

Plaintiffs Robert and Teresa E. claim that after using the ED medication for 13 years, Robert developed melanoma on his back which spread to his thyroid and lymph node under his arm. Robert had to undergo surgery to remove the Viagra melanoma throughout his body.

The Viagra lawsuit claims Pfizer failed to warn consumers about the risks of developing melanoma while they over marketed the product. 

The plaintiffs claim Pfizer “purposefully downplayed, understated and ignored the melanoma-related health hazards and risks associated with using Viagra. They further allege Pfizer deceived potential Viagra users by relaying positive information through the press, including testimonials from retired, popular U.S. politicians, while downplaying known adverse and serious health effects.”

The couple is suing the Viagra maker for negligent misrepresentation and product liability. Plaintiff Teresa is seeking compensation for loss of consortium (also known as loss of intimacy). Jointly, the couple is asking for $75,000 in physical and emotional damages allegedly caused by Robert’s development of Viagra melanoma.

Erectile Dysfunction and Viagra

An estimated 30 million men in the U.S. cannot maintain or get an erection, and Viagra is prescribed to treat the condition nearly 50 percent of the time.

Viagra was FDA approved to treat ED in 1998. It was designed to relax smooth muscle cells, which allows arteries in the penis to dilate therefore allowing blood to flow more easily. However, medical studies have discovered a link between the popular ED medication and melanoma skin cancer.

Viagra Melanoma Studies

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer that claims 10,000 lives in the U.S. each year. A 2014 study by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) followed nearly 26,000 patients and found that those taking the ED medication Viagra had a 84 percent greater risk of being diagnosed with skin cancer.

Further studies have lead some researchers to conclude that since Viagra mimics gene activation, it may be possible that the erectile dysfunction medication generates the creation of melanoma cells as well.

Viagra Lawsuits

Robert and Teresa claim they were not warned of Viagra melanoma risks because they relied entirely on Pfizer to disclose the risks and the company was inadequate in their warnings.

Additionally, in this Viagra melanoma lawsuit, Robert and Teresa claim that had they known of the melanoma skin cancer risks, Robert would never have purchased the medication let alone use it for more than a decade.

This is just one of the latest in a mounting number of Viagra melanoma lawsuits being filed across the U.S.

If you used Viagra and later developed melanoma skin cancer you may have a legal claim.

The Viagra Melanoma Lawsuit is Case No. 2:15-CV-00154, in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee Greeneville Division.